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Dear Editor;
Recently, I overheard a young person "declare" that some jobs were "beneath" him/her.
It had been a while since I looked at my job history so I pulled it up. And was surprised at the varied life I've led.
My first job was in the kitchen of a nursing home - from serving residents to scrubbing pots and pans.
I've worked as: a merchandise picker, special handling packer, and Bureau of Labor Statistics surveyor.
Worked for: a department store in the office (where we saved crisp bills for the employees' weekly pay), the 2010 Census Bureau, an office during tax season, medical clinics as an assistant associate, 8 schools as a reserve teacher, a college entering data, and five US Postal service sites as a casual clerk.
I've budded mums at a huge greenhouse. Cleaned a bank and a large business (including their toilets, urinals, and showers).
I've always learned something new at each job. For instance, if you tear rather than cut lettuce, browning is considerably reduced (Milwaukee catering service). There is a "right and wrong" side to the film that encloses your dry cereal (assistant to the packaging engineer at a major cereal company).
I've met some nice people along the way. Wonder of a young man I worked with (filling wooden crates with 2000 pounds of fresh cranberries) ever had his dream come true - singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir?
If you haven't seen the TV show "Dirty Jobs," it's an eye-opener as Mike Rowe works alongside people across the country doing dirty and dangerous jobs to support themselves and their families.
I firmly believe that EVERY JOB IS HONORABLE AND DUE RESPECT.
Eileen Z. Fitzsimons
Dodgeville